The General Services Administration announced Monday it wants to give away 12 historic lighthouses to state or local governments or historical groups – a move which would save the agency money on maintenance costs, according to GSA.
Linda Chero, the acting commissioner for GSA’s Public Buildings Service, said the agency hopes to find groups willing to preserve the lighthouses now that the Coast Guard no longer needs them.
“Historic lighthouses are unique in that they have sentimental and tangible value as historic landmarks in local communities.Through the preservation program, GSA helps find new stewards for excess lighthouses that are no longer considered mission critical to the United States Coast Guard,” Chero said.
Agencies are required to save $3 billion in real estate costs by October under President Obama’s June 2010 memo directing agencies to reduce their real estate footprints.
The lighthouses GSA hopes to convey are: Ontonagon WestPierhead Light, Manistique Light, Stannard Rock Light, and Fourteen Foot ShoalLight in Michigan; Liston Rear Range Light in Delaware; American Shoal Light inFlorida; Ashland Light in Wisconsin; Butler Flats Light, Graves Light,Edgartown Light in Massachusetts; and Halfway Rock Light and Boon Island Lightin Maine.
